|

Valve has announced that The Orange Box can now be pre-ordered on Steam for $44.95. Pre-ordering will net you access to the Team Fortress 2 beta, which starts September 17.

Valve has just announced that PC gamers who pre-purchase its upcoming ultra-compilation The Orange Box via Steam will gain access to the Team Fortress 2 beta next week on September 17. Following Steam tradition, the pre-order price for the package knocks 10% off the overall price, making it only $44.95.

The Orange Box--which includes Half Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episodes One and Two, Team Fortress 2, and Portal--hits PC and Xbox 360 on October 9. The PlayStation 3 version, which is being handled by EA UK, will follow at a later date.

nope

Though PC gamers will no doubt scoff at the idea of re-purchasing titles already in their Steam repertoire, listings in the online store indicate that, bought individually, Half-Life 2: Episode Two, Portal, and Team Fortress 2 would amass a charge of almost $80--nearly double the package price. The store also indicates that current owners of Half-Life 2 and Half-Life 2: Episode One may sell "give" their newfound extra copy to a "friend" with the Orange Box gift program.

Furthermore, Valve and PopCap have teamed to create a
Half-Life-themed rendition of Peggle, the colorful and time-consuming casual gaming sensation. Known as Peggle Extreme, it comes as a free bonus to those who pre-order The Orange Box through Steam.

In related news, Valve has apparently also revealed the achievements for the Xbox 360 version of The Orange Box. Achieve360Points.com reports the title will have a record 99 achievements to unlock across its five bundled games, though the awards still add up to the standard 1000 point limit. Be forewarned gentle reader, the list contains at least one spoiler regarding the ending of Half-Life 2: Episode One and may contain other minor spoilers as well, so use caution.